Barnstable hockey parent accused of assaulting AD

WEST BARNSTABLE — Police have summonsed to court a woman charged with punching the Barnstable schools athletic director inside a bank on Route 6A over the weekend.

CAPE COD TIMES

WEST BARNSTABLE — Police have summonsed to court a woman charged with punching the Barnstable schools athletic director inside a bank on Route 6A over the weekend.

According to sources with knowledge of the incident and the Barnstable police log, Maria Demayo of 95 North Winds Lane, West Barnstable, fled the Cape Cod Cooperative Bank after allegedly assaulting athletic director Steve Francis shortly before noon on Saturday.

Demayo is one of the parents who was involved in a contentious battle last year over her daughter and another player not making the girls varsity hockey team, sources said.

The parents' actions and a lack of support from school officials prompted the departure of popular hockey coach Kim Sullivan, according to the Times' sources.

Sullivan resigned her position along with three other coaches and a general manager.

Francis declined to comment on specifics of the incident when reached by telephone this week.

"I've been advised not to talk about it," he said, adding only that "something did happen."

Barnstable Public Schools Supt. Patricia Grenier likewise declined to comment, citing the involvement of the police.

"I really think it's still under investigation," she said. "I don't have any specific information."

Grenier has been criticized by parents for her handling of the events that led to Sullivan's resignation.

Demayo declined to comment when reached by telephone Thursday. She has yet to be arraigned on the assault and battery charge, according to court officials.